Manuel Bermejo enrolled in the Hispanic Youth Institute even though he wasn’t sure he’d pursue high school graduation.

“I was considering finishing high school, but I hadn’t really made any plans after that,” Bermejo said.

The 15-year-old spent the last four days and three nights on the campus of Southern Methodist University, where he was mentored, attended a series of events and listened to speakers who told him he is capable of getting a degree.

“It’s been life-changing for me,” Bermejo said. “All these talented Hispanic people [who have been successful] — maybe I can be, too.”

Bermejo, who will be a junior in August, has decided that he wants to look into attending college, and decisions like his are the main reason for the Hispanic Youth Institute, which is a program of the Hispanic College Fund.

The fund was created in 1993 as a scholarship program meant to help improve the graduation and college attendance rates for Hispanic youth.

“For every student who goes through one of our programs, they influence approximately 10 people in their community,” said Monica Raugitinane, director of marketing for the fund.

Raugitinane said the youth institutes began in Virginia in 2004 and have expanded to seven other regions, including Dallas. They target students who have a C average or better but often do not consider college as an option.

“We chose these students because they may not be the top tier or top percentage in their class … but just need the extra motivation to go” to college, Raugitinane said.

This is the third year for the Dallas institute, and enrollment was increased to 200 students from 100 to meet growing demand. The students pay a $10 commitment fee when they accept the invitation.

Estrella Carbakal, 15, is also a first-timer at the institute. She said she learned about college, but also herself.

“I learned how to label myself — you can’t let other people label you,” she said. “[They talked] about balance in your life, and they opened my mind.”

Carbakal is looking at out-of-state colleges and wants to become a school superintendent.

“Education is the key to [fighting] poverty, making something of myself,” Carbakal said. “I want to change lots of people for the better.”

Esmeralda Sanchez, director of the institute in Dallas, said she got involved with the program during her senior year at SMU, when she helped with the first year of the Dallas program.

Sanchez said the goal is to help students create a college-going culture in their neighborhoods.

“We see the impact of peer-to-peer involvement,” Sanchez said.

After the program concludes Saturday night, there will be follow-up workshops and other events throughout the school year to continue encouraging the students.

The program also encourages students to assume leadership roles in their schools and communities and to volunteer when possible.

Adriana Villalva and Celeste Aguirre, both 17, attended the 2009 Dallas institute, and are volunteering as alumni at this year’s event.

Villalva plans to attend Eastfield College before transferring to SMU.

“I’ve taken a lot out of [the program],” she said. “It’s why I continue to give back, to not only better myself, but others.”

Aguirre, who will be a senior in the fall, said that her involvement with the institute has changed her life.